Category: bookshelf

Curly Like Me
By Teri LaFlesh
I had only one question for Teri LaFlesh. How do I avoid cutting my hair? She had an answer, but first a little background.
The Curl Whisperer trimmed my hair in November, and I had hoped it would be the very last hair cut I would ever have. I loved the cut. It's just I don't live in Florida, and going back to see her will be a tad expensive. I had read on Teri's Web site -- Tightlycurly.com -- that she had not cut her hair in more than 10 years and that's how she had grown her hair so long. For years, I faithfully got a haircut every six weeks. As a result, I was stuck with shoulder length hair. I figured I'd get one last haircut and grow out my hair.
I moisturized my ends and kept my hair in protective styles for most of the winter. When it warmed up a bit, I started to wear my hair down. This apparently angered my hair. It snagged, it tangled, it matted. I had tons of those little teeny weeny fairy knots. I trimmed my hair with a pair of shears. When that didn't help, I made an appointment at a beauty school.
About a year ago, I went to the same beauty school and received a haircut on dry hair. (I also had visited the beauty school several times when we lived in Florida.) I like going because the students are eager to learn and exercise patience with my hair. It is also a steal. A haircut costs $15.
When my student saw me and my hair, I could see fear in her eyes. Not to worry, I told her. I will talk you through it. My last student received a good grade. She went to get her instructor, and I explained that I would like to have my hair cut dry just like last time.
"We don't teach them how to cut like that," the instructor said.
She explained the student would need to wash my hair, section it and then cut it. No, I protested. Stylists had done this before and I was left with all of these random wayward and droopy curls. She suggested the student wash my hair, blow dry it straight, and then cut it. I wanted no part of that. For starters, I have at least three curl patterns on my head. Treating them all the same sounded like disaster to me. I think the words I used were "hot mess." Besides, I hadn't had my hair straightened in more than a decade.
At this point, I should point out that Ken, my husband and best friend, says that I can be a bit forceful when I want something. While I think I am being the nicest person on the planet, he said that's not the way I come across. That said, he said he was surprised by what happened next.
"Well, I don't know what we can do for you. We can't cut it dry because it has product in it. I can get another instructor. If she can't help you, you may have to leave."
Leave? But I am the customer. Isn't the customer always right? I'm at a school where I received a dry cut a year ago, and today I may have to leave?
"Okay, get another instructor. If she can't help me, I'll leave."
The second instructor took a look. Clearly, my hair was no problem for her.
"Hair is hair," she said. That's what I'm talking about.
I told her the same thing I told the first instructor. She got it. She said the student had to wash the product out of my hair, which was fine. I've had a wet cut with some success in the past as long as the stylist was gentle. It was what the instructor said next that made me agree to do it. She told the student to cut each section separately and not try to match one layer to another. The student followed the instructions, and the instructor checked her work. I walked out of the salon with a good cut two hours after this hair odyssey began. My goodness.
I don't want to go through that ever again, which is why I had that question for Teri. I met her at the Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival. When I asked her to sign my book, the schedule was tight. I saved her from the drama of the story. I just told her I recently had to get my haircut and I'd like to avoid doing so in the future.
She asked one question. "How do you put your hair up at night?"
"I cover it with a satin bonnet and sleep on a satin pillowcase."
Teri suggested I braid my hair at night to protect the ends. When I get near the bottom, twist the hair, she said. I also know from reading her book and her Web site that she also folds up the very end of the braid and tucks it inside the plait. That has to be the key, I told her, and I'm on Day 2 of the new night regimen.
I devoured Curly Like Me during the plane ride home. It is chocked-full of science, practical advice and easy-to-follow hairstyles. Teri tells her own hair story and weaves in advice. Readers also will learn a few new words, including "sploosh," which happens when the conditioner oozes through your fingers. I am putting Curly Like Me in our personal library and will purchase a few copies as gifts for some curly girlfriends. In the meantime, my hubby says he wants a full accounting of all the money I spend on books and hair products for the girls and me.

Playing Loteria / El Juego De La Loteria
By Rene Colato Lainez
Illustrated by Jill Arena
Playing Loteria is a library find and tells the story in English and Spanish of a boy and his grandmother. Simone and Nadia love this book and enjoy hearing the Spanish words.
The boy visits his grandmother in Mexico. There is only one problem. He knows very little Spanish, and she speaks little English. His concern begins to disappear when he learns his grandmother runs a lotería booth, a game similar to Bingo. The boy is intrigued and wants to learn how to call the cards. His grandmother wants to teach him, as long as he teaches her English. By the time he leaves, the boy is the best caller in San Luis, and his grandmother knows more English.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Kim Wayans and Kevin Knotts, the authors of Amy Hodgepodge. I stumbled upon the book series and just had to check it out. The book centers around Amy Hodges, a 9-year-old girl, who goes to school for the first time after being home-schooled. Amy Hodges soon becomes Amy Hodgepodge because her grandparents are Korean, Japanese, African-American and white. Enjoy!

Honeysmoke: What inspired Amy Hodgepodge?

Kim and Kevin: AMY HODGEPODGE was inspired by our nieces and nephews, many of whom are multiracial, and by our desire to see more diversity reflected in mainstream children's literature.
Honeysmoke: Why did you aim the books at young readers?
Kim and Kevin: Aside from wanting to target children in the same age-range as our young nieces and nephews, we believe you can have the most impact on young minds that are still open and impressionable. Each book imparts valuable lessons to children about various subjects like friendship, kindness, tolerance, generosity, and honesty to name a few.
Honeysmoke: My daughters Simone and Nadia, 5 and 2, loved the covers of the two books I brought home. They each took one and studied the cover. Will you produce any picture books for the younger set?
Kim and Kevin: Children, especially those of color, are almost magnetized by the covers of the books, because it's so rare that they get to see beautiful images of kids that look like them on a book cover! Sad, but true. Eventually, we would like do some picture books for the younger set.
Honeysmoke: What is next for Amy Hodgepodge?
Kim and Kevin: Well, book number six, "Digging Up Trouble" will be out on May 27th. In addition, we're putting out feelers to different Animation studios - we'd love to do an AMY HODGEPODGE cartoon. In time, we plan on expanding the property in a variety of ways, including merchandising.
Honeysmoke: Anything I didn't ask that you would like readers to know?
Kim and Kevin: For all your readers who would like to know more about AMY HODGEPODGE and her friends, visit our website at www.amyhodgepodge.com

The Year of the Tiger: Tales from the Chinese ZodiacWritten by Oliver Chin
Illustrated by Justin Roth
Just in time for the Chinese New Year comes The Year of the Tiger: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac. It is an unlikely story about a cub who befriends a little girl named Su. Despite his parents' warning, the cub named Teddy ventures to the edge of forest, where he sees Su. She is afraid of him at first and screams, prompting a hunt for the tiger. When the tiger's learn of the hunt, they decided to move to a new part of the forest. Teddy, though, rushes back to see the girl one last time, and the adventure begins. She follows him into the forest, steps on a snake and falls over a cliff. By then, their parents are in pursuit of them both, following his roar and her cries throughout the forest. Teddy pulls Su to safety, and they prove the forest is big enough for man and beast and they join their parents together. The Year of the Tiger is a story about friendship and how children can help bridge the divide. The book is filled with bright, colorful illustrations chocked-full of animals, and Simone and Nadia enjoying identifying them as I read. This library find also introduces children to the ancient tradition of the Chinese zodiac.

The Jump At The Sun Treasury: An African American Picture Book Collection
Simone received this book as an infant. The anthology features seven picture books previously published by Jump at the Sun -- from a biography of slugger Willie Mays, to a ghost story, to a poem about prayer.
It is a true picture book, and Simone and Nadia like to see how the stories are told through the illustrations. The piece about Willie Mays is one of my favorites, while Simone and Nadia love the lyrical play of "Can I Pray With My Eyes Open?" and another piece called, "These Hands." A few longer stories are in the back of the book and will be more appropriate as Simone and Nadia grow up and master reading, which means we will be pulling this book from the shelves for many more years to come.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
By Doreen Rappaport
We read this book all year long. Simone and Nadia, who have an ear for lyrical text, pull it off the shelf on a regular basis. The lessons are obvious but still need to be taught or preached. I want Simone and Nadia to know they can do anything and they shouldn't shy away from using big words. Among the other lessons: standing up for what's right, standing up for others, and peacefully pursuing a purpose.
The book is written for children 4 and older, and tackles tough subjects with grace. The picture book begins with King's experience of seeing "White Only" signs in his hometown, and his mother makes sure he knows he is "as good as anyone." Young readers and listeners receive an introduction to the civil rights icon and some history about him, including his role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and a march for the Sanitation Workers' Strike in Memphis. "On his second day there, he was shot. He died."
This is the only children's King book we own, and for now it is all we need.

Happy Girl Hair is giving away a first edition copy of Happy To Be Nappy by bell hooks on Feb. 5. This is not the usual giveaway. The hardcover book is out of print and selling for $60 on Amazon. If anyone knows anyone who has this book and will part with it for far less than 60 bucks, leave a message below or message me at honeysmoke @ honeysmoke dot com. In the meantime, register for the giveaway over at Happy Girl Hair.

Anancy and Mr. Dry-Bone
By Fiona French
The story is based on characters borrowed from Caribbean and African folktales. Mr. Dry-Bone and Anancy want to marry Miss Louise. All they have to do is make her laugh. Mr. Dry-Bone uses conjuring tricks and gets no response. Anancy borrows colorful clothing from several animals, creates an eclectic outfit and makes everyone laugh, even Mr. Dry-Bone.
Simone received this book when she was an infant, and it is a favorite. Simone and Nadia love the colorful and contrasting illustrations, while I enjoy the book's practical message.

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